FROM THE GRASSROOTS TO THE NEGOTIATING TABLES: THE CASE FOR WOMEN AS PEACEBUILDERS

REBEKAH SEARS, MA

It seems obvious that women – making up at least half the population, and arguably bearing the brunt of contemporary conflicts – have a significant stake in the work of peace.
But, women are often excluded from high-level peace processes around the world. Yet this has not stopped women from being innovators for peace within their communities. This talk will take you on a global journey, from Colombia to Nigeria, from South Sudan to Palestine and Israel, introducing you to women peacebuilders connected to Mennonite Central Committee. These are voices that need to be heard speaking to genuine prospects for lasting peace.

Ottilia Chareka, mother, activist, scholar, mentor, and friend was a three time graduate of the Faculty of Education at the University of New Brunswick (DAUS 1993; M.Ed 1994; PhD 2005). Ottilia was the first woman from her rural village in Zimbabwe to complete high school and went on from there to enjoy a stellar career as a teacher and academic. Throughout her life Ottilia was a considerable advocate for others including the many Zimbabwean girls she supported in educational endeavours, fellow immigrants to Canada, and the First Nations students she worked with at St. Francis Xavier University.

When Ottilia died tragically in the spring of 2011 the Faculty of Education at UNB chose to honour her with an annual lecture in her name focusing on education as a vehicle for social justice, something that was a life long passion for Ottilia.

Ottilia is survived by her five daughters and a memorial fund has been set up by the St. FX Faculty of Education for her children. http://sites.stfx.ca/education/ottilia

DATE Monday, October 16th, 2017
BUILDING Marshall d’Avray Hall, Room 261
TIME 7:00pm, with a reception to follow

THIS IS A FREE PUBLIC EVENT

Live Streamed at http://www.youtube.com/user/UNBFEduc

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